Genk opens its first burial forest on 1 November
From 1 November, Genk will open its first burial forest, offering residents a natural alternative to traditional cemeteries and scattering meadows. The 2,700-square-metre site allows ashes to be scattered or interred in biodegradable urns.
A burial forest is a form of natural burial that integrates remembrance with forest conservation. Instead of conventional gravestones or monuments, the deceased are laid to rest in wooded surroundings, where trees and plants mark the passage of time and return the remains gently to nature.
“Nature can take its full course there," said Sara Roncada (CD&V), alderman for welfare and equal opportunities. "Therefore, ornaments and flowers are not permitted."
Genk’s new burial forest is located at the park cemetery in Genk-Centrum, on Hoogstraat. Over recent months, the city’s technical department has created natural paths and open spaces between the wooded area and the cycle path running from Hooiweg to Priesterhaagstraat.
© BELGA VIDEO MARC DIRIX
“We’ve tried to create natural paths and open spaces where tranquillity is paramount,” said Erhan Yilmaz (CD&V), alderman for technical services. “Several non-native trees and shrubs have been replaced by their native counterparts. A farewell area has also been created, complete with a memorial wall for nameplates.”
According to Roncada, the demand for this kind of burial has grown in recent years. “It’s a new burial method that we want to offer starting November 1st. We’ve received many requests for burials in wooded surroundings, and now we can fulfil that request.”
While Genk is the latest city to introduce this form of remembrance, it is far from the first. “It’s common in the Netherlands and Germany, but we’re also noticing that demand is increasing in Flanders. In this way, we’re trying to offer various burial options in our cemeteries,” Roncada added.
#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO WIKKELGOED
Related news
